Help Pam and Phoebe Rebuild after Hurricane Milton

Hello my friends and family. Pam Harris here, recovering from Bradenton, Florida.

As many of you know I just went through Hurricane Milton in Florida. I managed to evacuate Bradenton the day of the storm. I made a last minute decision based on long term neighbors deciding to evacuate (when they never had done so in 40 years) and also having woken up to nightmares about the movie Twister. Me and Phoebe evacuated to Miami and thank God we did.

Bradenton ended up being ground zero. I survived physical harm and so did my pup Phoebe. Thank goodness! However, my home was mildewed and now moldy after water intrusion from the window and roof and I can no longer stay there. I have asthma and on the second night staying there with no power I couldn't breathe. I had to leave (again) and take what I could and go stay in a a hotel in Ocala. When I evacuated the day of the storm I found out later that a tornado was an hour behind me. This whole experience has been insane. And exhausting.

I am a tough girl. You all know me to be resilient and a survivor but I have never been so terrified in my life and to be frank I have serious PTSD from this and I will no longer return to Florida. I can't go through this again.

I have been struggling getting any funds from FEMA. They want to perform inspections and I can't coordinate this with them from Maryland. (Where I am now. Again.) I applied over ten days ago and just now got a call from an inspector. He told me it will be another 10 days after his inspection before any relief will come through, if it does at all.

I've lost most of what I had as I had to leave it behind - mildewed and smelly in the Florida heat. I was able to pack up some clothes, personal items, a go bag for me and the dog.

I have a dear, dear friend who is letting me stay in her house on the eastern shore until she returns to Maryland. Once she returns with her family I will need to go somewhere else. She has told me I can put a camper here at her house, or perhaps I can find a rental nearby.

I will use any funds generated here for clothes, furniture, supplies, and housing. This will help to start over building a new home for me and Phoebe. Anything you can do to help is very appreciated! I will look into assistance for food and check out local food pantries. I'm sure I will recover from this - physically and emotionally, but right now I could use a little help.

Thank you all for your caring and support!

Much love,

Pam